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A-Alpha Waveguide Co., a manufacturer of cold drawn waveguide tube, has expanded its manufacturing capabilities. The company has purchased state-of-the-art equipment to manufacture formed waveguide bends with consistent repeatability. A-Alpha will be soliciting requisitions for formed waveguide bends to customer specifications. These precision dimensioned bends will add to the company’s other waveguide products that are in stock at its El Segundo, CA facilities. A-Alpha offers same- day shipping of aluminum, copper, bronze, stainless steel, and coin silver waveguide tube, aluminum and bronze cast bends, and extruded aluminum flange stock.

These new high frequency SMPM DC blocks are ideal for use in a variety of modulation schemes common amongst optical networking equipment providers who require either external DC blocking capability or AC coupling between modules. These DC blocks offer both a low cost of ownership and a high quality of design. This model, 8535MP, operates from 16 kHz to 50 GHz and combines excellent RF characteristics and a proven mechanical design. The SMPM push-on connectors mate with GPPO connectors and provide reliable high performance in a compact package.

Aeroflex-KDI announced the addition of two new digitally-controlled voltage variable PIN diode attenuators to its “Flatliner” family of products. These attenuators cover bandwidth from 0.5 to 2 GHz (part number GT-R502-32/64), and 2 to 18 GHz (part number GT-0218-32/64). Using new linearization techniques and state-of-the-art manufacturing practices, this attenuator family has unsurpassed attenuation linearity over temperature. Linearization over temperature is achieved using the latest microcontroller architecture. These are ideally suited for ESM/ECM/EW, communication, simulation and instrumentation applications.

Aeroflex/Weinschel’s new 153 Series of programmable attenuators operate in the DC to 40 GHz frequency range and are available in 0 to 70 dB in 10 dB steps and 0 to 110 dB in 10 dB steps. Other features include low insertion loss and excellent repeatability; life of 5 million operations and compact rugged construction and light weight.

Model number SSPA 2.0-4.0-100 is a high power, Gallium Nitride (GaN) amplifier that operates from 2000 to 4000 MHz minimum and is packaged in a rugged enclosure. This amplifier is designed for operation in harsh environments. Typical output power is 100 W across the band at P3dB. Small-signal gain is 54 dB ± 3.0 dB across the band typically. Input and output VSWR is 2.0:1 maximum. This unit is equipped with DC switching circuitry that enables and disables the RF devices inside the amplifier in 540 nSec typical for turn on and 230 nSec typical for turn off time.

Agilent’s PNA-X Series of microwave network analyzers now offer high-accuracy, source-corrected noise-figure measurements of frequency converters and mixers, as well as amplifiers. For measurements up to 26.5 GHz, an internal low-noise receiver is available that eliminates the need for an external preamplifier, making set up and calibration as easy as that required for measuring S-parameters. A new option is also available for measuring noise-figure using the network analyzer’s S-parameter receivers, extending source-corrected measurement capability to 50 GHz.

AKON offers a line of high performance, high speed and high isolation miniature RF switches. These switches are available in standard configurations such as SPST through SP8T and higher. Switching speeds are typically in the order of 100 nanoseconds, but units under 10 ns are also available. Switch off state isolation can be 60 dB or greater. Both reflective and absorptive configurations are available. Frequency band coverage is model dependent, but ranges from 500 MHz to 40 GHz. Connector options include SMA, GPO, TNC, type N or an extended pin for drop-in. Standard control logic is single ended TTL. The reflective SP5T switch shown here covers 2 to 18 GHz, with 50 nS switching speed (typical), 60 dB isolation, 3 dB maximum insertion loss, maximum VSWR of 2.0:1 and +24 dBm power handling.

ATC’s new 550L ultra-broadband capacitor (UBC) has been designed and manufactured with the highest quality materials to provide reliable and repeatable ultra-broadband performance from 16 kHz through 40+ GHz. Now available with gold terminations, this unique component provides ultra-low insertion loss, flat frequency response and an excellent match over multiple octaves of frequency spectrum. The 550L has been engineered in a one piece orientation-insensitive 0402 SMT package, making it fully compatible with high speed automated pick-and-place manufacturing operations.

The new APGEN3000 fast-sweeping RF signal generator complements the company’s family of fast-sweeping, low noise signal generators in the range from 9 kHz to 20 GHz. Especially designed to offer fast switching speed, high power, and dedicated analogue modulation capabilities, the signal generator can be used in virtually any application where a high-quality, reliable RF signal is required. These small and portable instruments are also available in customized versions for OEMs.